Ryan Freel
From BR Bullpen
Ryan Paul Freel
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10", Weight 185 lb.
- School Tallahassee Community College
- High School Englewood High School (Jacksonville)
[edit] Biographical Information
Originaly thought of as simply a utility player, Freel has become a one man highlight reel.
Freel hit .364 with 15 runs and 7 steals to help US win Bronze in the 1994 World Junior Championship.
Freel appeared briefly in the majors in 2001 with Toronto after signing in the 10th round of the 1995 amateur draft. In 2001, Freel signed as a free agent with Tampa Bay but did not appear in the Major Leagues as a Devil Ray. Freel signed as a free agent with the Reds in 2002 and made his first appearence as a Red in 2003. Freel has been dubbed by some as a "poor man's Johnny Damon" for their similarities in on base average, speed, and intensity.
As a testament to the uniqueness of Freel's game, in the 2005 ESPN top plays per position countdown, Freel had two of the nine, one at third base and one in right field.
Although Freel has suffered some injuries during his career including a heel and toe injury, Freel became the Reds starting right fielder after Austin Kearns was traded in August 2006.
